Oral
Abstract
Research summary supplied by the authors
Integrating electrical conductivity and flame-retardant properties into leather presents a transformative opportunity to broaden its application in advanced functional domains. This study introduces an innovative approach employing ionic liquid (IL)-assisted in-situ polymerization of aniline to fabricate leather with dual functionalities. Imidazolium-based ILs played a crucial role in modulating the size and morphology of polyaniline (PANI) during polymerization, facilitating its deep penetration and uniform distribution across the leather matrix. As a result, the electrical resistance of the leather was significantly reduced from 389.4 MΩ to 1.5 MΩ after three polymerization cycles. Furthermore, the PANI-modified leather exhibited a remarkable 82.8% reducti on in flammability, attributed to the nitrogen-rich PANI structure that enhances char formation under combustion. Characterization techniques such as XRD, SEM, and XPS confirmed the uniform deposition and integration of PANI throughout the leather’s cross-section. The findings demonstrate that IL-assisted PANI functionalization provides a scalable and cost-effective pathway to engineer multifunctional smart leathers, making them suitable for applications in wearable electronics, defence, automotive interiors, and flame-resistant gear.